Pick for stringed instruments



Nov. 12, 1940. M, FRASIER PICK FOR STRINGED INSTRUMENTS Filed June 22, 1939 I. Room/1 Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in finger picks for use in playing various stringed instruments such as guitars, mandolins and banjos.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a finger pick of the above mentioned type having two or more picking elements to produce a multiple sound from each string of the instrument as the player plucks the strings.

A further object of this invention is to provide a finger pick of the above mentioned type hav ing two or more picks, one of which is shorter than the other so that the short pick will first strike the string, and a continued plucking motion will cause the longer pick to strike the same string, thereby adding to the pleasant eifect of the resultant music and making it possible to more easily play music having a fast tempo.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a finger pick embodying this invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevational View of the same,

Figure 3 is a rear elevational view showing the manner of attaching the pick to the finger,

Figure 4 is a vertical .cross sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows more clearly illustrating the arrangement of the picks,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the finger pick illustrating the respective positions of the pick members,

Figure 6 is a perspectitve view of a modified form of the invention illustrating a finger pick for the forefinger or thumb,

Figure '7 is a rear elevational View of the modified form of the inventiton illustrating the same in place upon the thumb, ready for use,

Figure 8 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on lines 8-8 of Figure 7 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating in detail the construction of the modified pick, and,

Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the modified pick.

In the drawing, attention will first be directed to Figures 1-5 inclusive, wherein like reference characters will be employed to designate like parts throughout the same and wherein the reference character 5 will generally be employed to designate a split band formed of material having sufficient rigidity such as metal, Celluloid or hard rubber composition adapted to be placed on the finger F as shown in Figure 1.

Formed integral with the split band 5 is a pick 6 having a reduced portion I adjacent its joining area with the split band to increase the resiliency of the pick. The free end 8 of the pick is tapered and terminates in a string engaging point. 5

Secured to the split band 5 is a superimposed pick It! which is arcuately curved to conform to the curvature of the pick 6 and said pick may be formed of the same material as the split band 5. The upper end of the pick IE! is secured to the 10 band 5 as at H by solder or other suitable fastening means or the upper end of the pick 10 may be formed as an integral part of the split band 5.

The free end of the pick I0 is pointed as at I2 and is braced by means of a brace l3 extending between the intermediate portions of the picks 6 and [0 as best shown in Figures 1 and 4.

In cross section, the picks are slightly curved to present a smooth surface for engaging the strings of the instrument being played. Also, it will be noted that the superimposed pick i0 is slightly shorter than the pick 6 so that the point I2 of the pick H] will engage the instrument string and then the pick point 9 will engage the same string and revibrate the same.

In Figures 6 to 9 inclusive, the modified form of the invention includes a split ring portion 5a formed of a material similar to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive and one end of the split ring is formed into a pointed portion Ea. terminating in a pick point la. One side of the pick 6a is formed relatively straight as at 8a while the opposite edge 9a is more curved so that the point la will be offset from the ring 5a in order to be used on the thumb T as shown in Figure '7.

Superimposed on the pick 6a is a slightly smaller pick lila terminating in a point l2a shorter than the pick 6a. The pick Illa is secured to the split ring 5a as at Ila by any suitable means 40 such as an adhesive or solder. If desired, the pick Illa can be formed as an integral part of the pick 6a and the free ends of the picks as at la and l2a are spaced so that in use, the pick point I2a. will first strike the string of the instrument being played and produce a vibration thereof and the pick point 1a will next engage the same string and cause the same to be revibrated.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred embodiments of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: 1. A finger pick for musical stringed instru ments comprising a split band, and a. pair 01' instrument string engaging picks thereon in superimposed relation the free ends of the pick being disposed in diverging relationship with one o! the picks terminating short 01 the other thereof.

2. A finger pick for musical stringed instruments comprising a split band, an instrument pick formed integral with the band and a second pick thereof with the free ends oi the picks in spaced relationship mounted on the first mentioned pick.

3. A finger pick for musical stringed instru- 

